(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – The Board of Investments (BOI) remains optimistic about achieving its Php 1-trillion investment approvals target for 2026, supported by strong investor interest despite domestic and global economic challenges.
BOI managing head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo expressed confidence Tuesday that the agency would meet or even surpass its annual target, citing a strong pipeline of investment projects awaiting approval.
“Yes, I’m confident that we will hit that,” Rodolfo told reporters.
“The expectation is that we will hit (it) and we are working to exceed it,” he added.
BOI data showed that investment approvals reached Php 900.6 billion from January to September 2026, representing a 53.05-percent increase from Php 588 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
With less than two months remaining in the year, Rodolfo said the agency was continuing to evaluate pending investment applications that could help push total approvals beyond the Php 1-trillion mark.
“But we think that in the pipeline, we can do it. It’s already in the pipeline… There are some (investment projects) that are (still) being evaluated,” he said.
The BOI is prioritizing strategic and transformative investments, particularly in renewable energy, which has remained a major contributor to investment growth in recent years.
As of September, the energy sector accounted for the largest share of approved investments at Php 740.14 billion, equivalent to 82.33 percent of the total.
Real estate followed with Php 46.66 billion, while transportation and storage recorded Php 36.47 billion.
The information and communication sector registered Php 18.36 billion in approved investments, followed by manufacturing at Php 14.86 billion.
Looking ahead to 2027, Rodolfo said the BOI had yet to finalize its investment approvals target as the agency shifts its attention toward strengthening the country’s investment environment and developing long-term industrial policies.
“We’re focusing on the enabling environment and long-term industrial policy planning,” he said.
